Compare and contrast Ethical Egoism and Psychological Egoism

Running head : Psychological and Ethical Egoism

A Comparative Essay of Psychological and Ethical Egoism A Comparative Analysis of Psychological and Ethical Egoism

This essay is a comparative analysis of ethical egoism and psychological egoism . In to clearly set the direction of this , I would first render the meaning these two concepts . Afterwards I would explicate the strengths and weaknesses of psychological egoism and discuss the two versions of ethical egoism . Upon doing so , this would present the contrasting points of both theories

Psychological Egoism generally states that people are naturally selfish

br and would pursue their self-interest at all times . It further claims that even altruistic acts are , at the root of it , grounded on one 's pursuit of his /her own welfare (Shaver , 2002 . This concept of egoism states the motivation of self-interest as a fact , as such , a person does not choose to be egoistic ' or selfish , he /she as a human being simply is . Take for example a man 's decision to become a doctor , or to help charity , or even to help an old lady cross the street . Most of the time , the justifications a person gives for choosing to do these acts have altruistic inclinations . However , psychological egoists would contend that the motives of these acts are aimed still , at the individual who desires to perform them . A man who wants to be a doctor may want to help other people , but this can be seen as grounded too on his happiness being fulfilled when he sees that he has helped others Giving to charity would allow an individual to experience satisfaction by being generous , it keeps him happy and feeling good about himself or the more trivial reason is he wants to be praised for his actions

On the other hand , ethical egoism does not say that man would inevitably be motivated by his own interests . Rather , this doctrine purports a normative stance that people ought to pursue their welfare This is to say that when one chooses to act upon , he or she must take into utmost consideration his or her own self-interest . Scholars deem this ethical theory as a deviant to traditional moral theories which gives emphasis on impersonal moral choices and the greater good of the greater number

Psychological egoism founds itself on a scientific discipline that demands for empirical proof and consistency in to be considered true . However , scholars have criticized psychological egotists for failing to take into proper account that would counter-proof their claim of inherent selfish motivation . Instead , evidence and day-to-day observations would show that that there are acts that can be considered altruistic which the psychological egotists attempt to evade by misconstruing the concept of selfishness juxtapose to self-interest Further , counter-examples made be seen through that are committed that are contrary to the best self-interest , and actions done without much thought of one 's welfare . The lack of verifiability makes the claim of psychological egoism dubitable within the scientific community it initially launches itself...